First came the wheel, then came two wheels and then a seat. Later, some insomniac (or Londoner) added a light, a sluggard attached a few gears and, voila, we have what the general public calls a "bicycle" — a near perfect machine designed for transportation and recreation. Yet, somehow, this two-wheeled masterpiece is seemingly never complete. Whether we're finding ways to eat breakfast as we pedal or fiddling with aerodynamic alloys to increase speed by .01 mph, the bicycle is like an infinite school project that we can always improve upon.
Here, we have a handful of cycling's tinkerers who, via crowdfunding sites Kickstarter and Indiegogo, are looking for a little help to see their ideas come to life and make our two-wheeled lives even more enjoyable.Centinel Wheel
An all in one smart electric bicycle wheel 1 of 8
Could transforming your daily cruiser into an electric bike be as simple as replacing your rear wheel. Yes, yes it could. Ebikes, often unaffordable and unpleasant, have nevertheless gained steam among urban commuters who tire of pedaling. The Centinel Wheel is the perfect option for those who already own a bike yet have interest in purchasing one that pulls most of the weight.
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Cycling EventsFortified Invincible
The ultimate urban bike that fights theft, rain and potholes 2 of 8
Ever had your ride snatched from you by thieves? Few things are as gut wrenching and wretched. Well, Fortified claims to have a cure for all maladies awaiting the urban rider. Theft, flat tires, rusty chains, stolen seats and stolen bikes, Fortified's Invincible is the bike immune to all. Are you ready to make this the last bike you'll ever have to own?
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Cycling EventsHeadkayse
A soft, foldable, one-size-fits-all cycling helmet 3 of 8
Revolutionizing the way cyclists pick and choose which helmets to don, Headkayse rids the traditional helmet of its rigid polystrene construction and reimagines the helmet as a soft, malleable piece of headgear. Commuters will love the helmet's foldability, while parents and daily riders will appreciate its claims that the helmet increases safety.
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Cycling EventsBeker
A personal boombox with bone-conduction technology 4 of 8
Cycling is cycling and headphones are headphones, and never the twain shall meet. Yet many cyclists are so stubborn when it comes to jamming while pedaling that they ignore this obvious recipe for disaster. However, Beker, a small, easily portable, waterproof MP3 player with bone-conducting headphones might prove to be a remedy for this problem.
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Cycling EventsGrasp
Bike lock with fingerprint recognition 5 of 8
With all of your electronic devices turning to fingerprint recognition as its security force field, why not do the same for bike locks? As new cell phone owners can attest, fingerprint recognition is a safe and pain-free way to lock one's device. This new bike lock claims that you can unlock your bike in less than a single second. Forget keys and the hassle of memorizing codes, the Grasp just might be the new frontier in bike locks.
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Cycling EventsLIVALL Oxygen Series
Cicylocross Carbon Fiber Bikes 6 of 8
LIVALL, no stranger to the crowdfunding method, has developed a bike that assures its riders to receive the most bang for their buck. A cyclocross bike that ensures a smooth and comfortable riding experience on all surfaces, the Oxygen Series is made of carbon fiber and comes with high-end Shimano components. And, the kicker, the bike costs a mere $899.
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Cycling EventsFLUX Backpack
A backpack and a piece of safety apparel in one 7 of 8
Let's face it, safety is nearly every cyclist's number one concern. And for daily commuters who fight angry morning and evening traffic, the road can be a particularly treacherous place. However, Torch, a helmet company, has officially made a commuter's favorite accessory, the backpack, a piece of necessary safety apparel. With the lower quadrant of the backpack lighting up, you'll cruise down the road with the largest bike light on the market attached to your back.
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